Los 4112

Claasen, Hermann
(1889-1987)WWII destruction in Cologne

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WWII destruction in Cologne. Circa 1946. 3 gelatin silver prints, printed later from the original negatives from the estate. Each circa 24 x 16 cm (30,5 x 23 cm).

Born in Cologne, Hermann Claasen initially worked in his family’s textile business before turning to photography at the age of 30. He began with nature subjects, later expanding into portrait and advertising photography. He earned his master craftsman certificate in 1936. On May 31, 1942, his studio and much of his archive were destroyed in a bombing raid on Cologne. Defying a strict ban on photography, Claasen ventured into the ruined city with his camera, producing a hauntingly powerful body of work that captured the destruction with striking visual clarity. His photographs eventually drew the attention of Cologne’s mayor at the time, Konrad Adenauer, who became a supporter of Claasen’s work. – A few light handling dents, otherwise in very good condition.

Provenance: Private collection, gift from the estate of the photographer.

Lit.: Hans J. Scheurer/Jan Thorn-Prikker (eds.). Hermann Claasen. Nichts erinnert an Frieden. Bilder einer zerstörten Stadt. Cologne 1985, ill. no. 27, p. 32.